Baseball

Working For Purpose

Wed., Feb. 3, 2010
El Cajon, Calif. -- Forty-six players and athletic department staff members of San Diego Christian College gathered on Wednesday (Feb. 3), to hear the testimony of the San Diego Padres First Baseman, Adrian Gonzalez (pictured left, right). Gonzalez was invited in conjunction with Coach Chris Bando's 1 Corinthians 10:31 coaching philosophy, teaching his players to do all for the glory of God.

Coach Bando (pictured left, left), a former major leaguer, now shepherd of young baseball players, gives great emphasis to every athlete who professes Christ to do so even in an arena riddled with compromise. In light of that conviction, Coach Bando brings in role models of that lifestyle to impart living truth to the young men.

Adrian Gonzalez, a San Diego native and hometown favorite, has found incredible success in his career as a major leaguer, including batting .304 to help the Padres win the NL West, in 2006, his first year with the club. He was awarded Padres MVP in three of four years as a player. In 2008 and 2009, he was an MLB All-Star selection and the winner of the Rawlings Gold Glove award. Other awards Gonzalez has received include clubhouse and player of the week honors.

Despite his success on the field, Gonzalez, in partnership with his wife, Betsey, hold fast to being set apart for the purposes of Jesus Christ. In his time with the Hawks, Gonzalez shared the process through which God has taken his family though to be where they are today. He then fielded questions from the players and other staff in the room, answering everything from 'What's your favorite park to play in?' to inquiry of how to walk out a life pleasing to the Lord in Major League Baseball.

Amidst the hands raised, one player asked the question, "what body part do you focus on the most in your lifting routine?". As a spectator myself, I listened to his answer transform a strictly athletic question into an illustration of his foundational spiritual discipline.

"You gotta exercise everything, dude," Gonzalez freely responded amongst the rooms laughter in regards to the question. "You can’t just focus on one thing. You can't take any muscle for granted. The biggest thing is to be ground based. Make sure you do everything with your feet on the ground. It's not about looks it's about how your body responds for the game."

In this one response, Gonzalez outlined his game plan for success not only in the weight room, but in walking with the Lord. He painted a picture of planting your feet on a foundation that ensures proper strengthening for the opportunities ahead, a timely word for college students with broad horizons.

Gonzalez's step to share his heart for walking "not by words, but by actions" in a Christ-honoring fashion, has gained him a respect not just with the Padres organization, but with the community in the Greater San Diego area. The example he has set, not just in word, but in action, will continue to influence as a role model for athletes in this generation and generations to come.

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